WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! Men's Soccer Downs Saginaw Valley in GLIAC Title Game

2013-11-10

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The top-seeded Ohio Dominican men's soccer team used an early overtime goal to defeat third-seeded Saginaw Valley 2-1 in a thrilling double overtime match in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament final Sunday at Panther Field.

Juniors Jakob Szabo (Worthington, Ohio) and Frazer Fernandes (Gahanna, Ohio) each scored as ODU (12-2-4) captured its first GLIAC Tournament Championship and also set two new program records.

The result also pushed the Panthers' consecutive unbeaten streak to 12, which represents the longest such run in program's history. The Panthers also set a new home win record, winning their eighth game at Panther Field and remain unbeaten at home.

The win put the finishing stamp to a body of work that the Panthers are hoping will earn them a top seed for the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Ohio Dominican won't have to wait long to find out as the NCAA Tournament brackets will be released Monday at 7 p.m.

The game was evenly matched with the Panthers barley edging the Cardinals (11-4-5) 16-11 on shots, including 6-3 margin on goal, and posting a 7-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Szabo gave ODU the lead at the 16:35 mark after Fernandes connected with Szabo who slipped a shot past SVSU goalkeeper Josh Howell.

Not going away quietly, the Cardinals knotted the score 1-1 when Zach Walega sent a pass out to GLIAC Freshman of the Year Jordan Kalk, who hit home his 10th goal of the season.

Ohio Dominican earned a number of scoring chances in the first half, but was kept off the board due to exceptional play by Howell and the Cardinal defense.Scoreless through the final 45 minutes of regulation and 10 minutes of the first overtime, Fernandes took a pass from Szabo on the left side of the box and then five-holed the Saginaw goalie for the game-winner, just 11 seconds into the second overtime for the victory.

Sophomore goalkeeper Macklin Robinson (Cincinnati, Ohio) and the Panther defense allowed just three shots on goal where Robinson collected two saves.

Ohio Dominican will find out its fate for the NCAA Tournament this Monday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. The selection show can be viewed live by clicking here.